Centre to discuss all-India single engineering entrance exam with all states

The AICTE, the country’s technical education regulator, had last month passed a regulation to hold a national-level common engineering entrance exam from the next academic year, amid opposition from the governments of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

educationUpdated: May 02, 2017 11:44 IST

HT Correspondent Hindustan Times, New Delhi

The HRD ministry has initiated steps for a common test for admission to engineering courses.(PTI File/ Representational Photo)

The Union human resource development (HRD) ministry will discuss the issue of conducting a single entrance test for admission to engineering courses across the country with all states and reach a consensus before implementing it.

The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), the country’s technical education regulator, had last month passed a regulation to hold a national-level common engineering entrance exam from the next academic year, amid opposition from the governments of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

However, it was not immediately clear whether the process will delay the implementation of the plan in 2018.

“The issue will be discussed with all the states to reach a consensus and a final decision will be taken. Depending on the success of NEET, the proposal will be examined further,” a source said.

“The possibility of common counselling provisions also needs to be discussed with the states,” the source added.

However, the consultation may not necessarily delay the execution of the plan. “The plan has not been scrapped. We are examining it. As soon as a consensus is built, modalities will be worked out,” the source said.

Taking a cue from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical and dental colleges introduced last year, the HRD ministry had initiated steps for a common test for admission to engineering courses.

The CBSE conducts JEE-Mains exam for admission to engineering courses. Over 11 lakh students appear for it every year.

A number of states conduct their own tests, while some colleges grant admission based on marks of the Class 12 board exams. Several private colleges also have their own entrance examinations.